Colleyville Presbyterian Church - Adult Sunday School

Overview of the Old Testament: Leviticus

February 7, 2016

Summary: Leviticus is the book of holiness (key verse is Lev. 19:2). In it Yahweh tells the seed of
Abraham, now delivered from slavery, how they are to live as a holy people in covenant with a holy
God, despite their sin (cf. Exodus 32, 40) and how they are called to live as a kingdom of priests and a
holy nation among the nations (cf. Exodus 19). We tend to see Leviticus as a burden, but the Israelites
were meant to see it as a gift.

Note: To understand Leviticus rightly, we must read it in context of the larger story of the Pentateuch
and the Old Testament. See Exodus 40:35, Leviticus 1:1 and Numbers 1:1; See also Genesis 12:1-3 and
Exodus 19:4-6. And of course all this points to Christ. Recommend resource: Leviticus, by Jay Sklar

! I. God calls Israel to be holy as they relate to him (1-16)!

! ! a. In Israels sacrifices: 1-7
! ! b. In Israels priests: 8-10
c. In Israels cleanness: 11-15
! II. God provides a way of atonement for Israels sin (16)
! III. God calls Israel to be holy as they relate to one another (17-27)
! ! a. In Israels laws: 17-22
b. In Israels feasts: 23-25
! ! c. In Israels covenant: 26-27
! !
Leviticus Key Theme: God provides a way for Abrahams seed to live in holiness with him so they might be a
kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

a) The Levitical sacrifices are not ONLY about atoning for sin but also about
! ! ! living in communion with God (1, 2, 3, 7)

! b) The Levitical washings (33x - sacrificial animals, priests and unclean people)
! ! ! ! are an interesting background to baptism (esp 8:6)

c) The Levitical cleanliness code primarily has to do with death vs. life (i.e. touching
reproductive fluids, diseased skin, mold, dead bodies makes one !unclean).
The cleanliness law with regard to animals is less clear. Note: unclean does not mean sinful.

d) The Levitical law code not only tells us about Gods care for human sexuality, but also
Gods care for the poor and powerless (19, 24:17-22)
!
e) The Levitical feasts (ch. 23) form an important foundation for our understanding of
! ! the church year and how God sanctifies time for his people.

f) The blessings promised for covenantal obedience (ch. 26) are an intentional
! ! reiteration of the blessings of the garden of Eden.